Kondo Isamu was secretly pondering the true purpose of Dobashi Morishige, when the passionate singing of mercenaries suddenly came from the courtyard outside the door.
"The sea is rough...my blood is boiling..."
Douhashi Morizhong looked cold, stood up, opened the sliding door, and scolded.
"Bagyalu! Shut up! You bastards in Kyoto, please show some restraint! Clamp your tail!"
Kondo Isamu glanced at Hijikata Toshizo, who leaned close to her ear and said.
"The folk song about the Kii pirates who went to the sea to make a living in the Seto Inland Sea."
Isamu Kondo smiled slightly.
It turned out to be a robbery song. No wonder Dobashi Morishige had such a big reaction. These pirates were so lawless that they dared to sing this at the foot of the Kyoto shogunate.
The song sounds majestic and passionate, but it's a pity that the singers are a bunch of beasts and never do anything human.
Tsuchibashi Mamoru returned to his seat, bowed and said.
"excuse me."
Isamu Kondo returned the greeting.
"I admire Dobashi Hime for her good command of the army."
Tsuchibashi Morishige smiled, naturally he would not take it seriously. Kii mercenaries have always had a bad reputation, so there is no need to take such polite words seriously.
she asked.
"Kondo-hime, when do we start taking action?"
Isamu Kondo glanced at the sky outside and said.
"Move as soon as it gets dark."
Hijikata Toshizo frowned.
"The confidentiality team has not yet found out where the Shogun Princess warriors who attacked Takada Yukino-sama are, shall we use an alternative plan?"
Kondo Isamu nodded.
"The Odaisho has left the capital, we must act immediately to make every family in the shogunate feel the anger of the Odaisho.
Those rats are hiding deep, so let’s start with the list of rumor mongers and kill them to scare the monkeys. Let’s deal with the first four on the list tonight and see how all parties react.
Dobashi Hime, tonight's action is to go to the four mansions to carry out the Heavenly Punishment.
I will take Miburou inside to do the work, and your team will support you outside. Just in case, I will ask Okita Hime to bring a few people to assist you."
On the side, General Okita bowed slightly, and Dohashi Morishige bowed in return. He understood in his heart. Isamu Kondo was still worried about his own mercenaries messing around, so he sent the governor.
Kondo Isamu had no choice. She originally thought that Hijikata Toshizo would not be able to bring back many people, and that General Okita's supervising team would be enough to control the overall situation.
Who would have thought that Takada Haruno would provide such generous support, nor would they have thought that such a powerful figure as Dohashi Morishige would be willing to personally lead the team to Kyoto.
The Mibu Wolf was organized into three leaders and thirty tribesmen, and Dobashi Morishige brought fifty fierce pirates.
In total, there were more than eighty desperadoes from both sides, and they were equipped with sufficient weapons such as Kabuto iron cannons, bows and arrows. This force was a bit too strong.
Eighty ronin who are skilled in martial arts and fully equipped, even if one or two reserve troops of the Wu family come, they may not be able to defeat them.
General Okita's supervising team could not suppress fifty pirates, so Kondo Isamu sent her to watch over the Dohashi people, hoping that Dohashi Morishuji would not act recklessly and would restrain his subordinates.
Doqiao Shouzhong understood the idea and smiled.
"Kondo-hime, after I received the money, I will naturally listen to your arrangements. I just have a small request, and I hope you can help me."
Isamu Kondo calmed down and said.
"Please say."
Dohashi Morishige said leisurely.
"I heard that some exotic Nanman people are active in the castle town of Kyoto. Can you help me check their residence, number of people, and area of activity."
Morishige Dohashi was willing to cooperate with Isamu Kondo because he valued the Shiba family's intelligence network in Kyoto.
Miburou's actions are supported by the Secrecy Group and Yagyu Group. Pirates like Dohashi Morishige do not have channels to inquire about information in Kyoto, so it is inconvenient to do things blindfolded.
Kondo Isamu saw Dohashi Morishige's serious face, and suddenly came back to his senses. Zahe Zhong is a follower of the Yixiang Sect, looking for Nanman people...Nanman Cult?
Just before Tenchu launches, Dohashi Morizumi's request comes out of the blue. Is this a request or a threat?
Hijikata Toshizo chimed in.
"Hime Dohashi, this seems to be a little different from what we agreed before."
Dohashi Morishige bowed and said.
"This is my personal request. It's indeed a bit abrupt. I owe Renshenglang a favor."
Isamu Kondo and Toshizo Hijikata looked at each other. Maybe these southern barbarians were the reason why Dohashi Morishige insisted on entering the capital.
The Tenchu incident was imminent, and it was indeed too much for Morishige Dohashi to make a request at this time. But her attitude was very low, and she promised this favor, which made Isamu Kondo hesitate.
Logically speaking, the Imsei Wolf should not get involved in anything other than Tenchu. Neither Momochi Santaofu nor Yagyu Munenomi had a good impression of the Imsei Wolf. If they interfere with each other, they will inevitably attract criticism.
But Tsuchibashi Morishu is not a good person. If he refuses forcefully, these unruly pirates may not be willing to give him face. It is easier to ask a god than to give him away, which puts Kondo Isamu in a bit of a dilemma.
Hijikata Toshizo was so annoyed that he glanced at Dohashi Morishige, who seemed to be pleading. She was the one who lured Dohashi Morishige to Kyoto. At this time, something unexpected happened, which was tantamount to causing trouble for Miburou.
She was about to say something, but was stopped by Kondo Isamu's eyes, Kondo Isamu said.
"Are they Southern Barbarians? I will check and give you an answer."
Tsuchibashi Morishige bowed again and thanked him, and said.
"I'm very grateful. I'll go out first to see if those bastards have finished eating, and be ready to do it tonight."
After saying that, Dohashi Morishige realized what was interesting and left, leaving the room to Miburou and the other three.
After she left, Toshizo Hijikata said to Isamu Kondo in annoyance.
"It's because I don't know people well that I caused you trouble. I didn't expect Dohashi Morishige to make a request at this time. This guy is going too far."
Kondo Isamu shook his head.
"I don't blame you. With the strength of Dohashi Moruzhong, she targeted you at Sakai Port, and other mercenaries did not dare to accept your money. In the end, the Dohashi people will definitely come to the capital."
Hijikata Toisho nodded with a gloomy face.
"I heard that Suzuki Shigehide was also in Kyoto. After the shogun's succession ceremony, she never returned to Kii Country.
Suzuki and Dohashi are both here, I should have thought that Dohashi Morishige had an ulterior motive."
Isamu Kondo frowned as he was a ronin who worked in Sakai Port before. He knew the details of mercenaries like Kii very well.
"Suzuki Dobashi has never dealt with them. They are all in Kyoto. Are they going to deal with those southern barbarians?"
Hijikata Toshizo said.
"There is a group of Nanman missionaries operating in the castle town, and they have been protected by the Oda family.
If we allow Dobashi Morishige to act indiscriminately, I'm afraid it will cause trouble for the master's family, and I don't know how the Odaisho will treat us."
Kondo Isamu said coldly.
"After the Tenchu is completed, give the news to Dobashi Morizhong. The two matters of Tenchu and the killing of the Nanman are completely separated. No matter what happens after that, it will not be our business."
Hijikata Shisan nodded, this is also a way, she asked.
"What about the information?
Momochi Santao and Yagyu Munenomi are not friendly to us, what if they connect the two incidents and sue us in front of the Odaisho?"
Kondo Isamu pondered for a while and said.
"We don't ask them for information about the Southern Barbarians. I'll ask Fujibayashi Mukuro."
Hijikata Tosei narrowed his eyes and repeated.
"Fujibayashi Muku..."
Miburou had also heard a little bit about the dispute between the Momochi Tobayashi family. If he wanted to find Fujibayashi, he would have to sell her a favor.
According to Kondo Isamu's original plan, the Mibu Wolf was the sword of Odaisho, following Yukino Takada's hawk dog, regardless of the dirty infighting in the Shiba family.
Valley rattlesnake
But if you ask Fujibayashi for help, you won't be uninvolved in the future. If you help me today, I'll help you tomorrow, it won't be possible.
Hijikata Toshizo was a little hesitant and looked at Kondo Isamu, who said calmly.
"Doqiao Shouzhong is right outside the door, and the Heavenly Punishment is tonight. There is no time to delay. No matter what troubles there are in the future, let's get over the current situation first."
Hijikata Toshizo nodded reluctantly, and Kondo Isamu smiled.
"If you think about it on the bright side, at least Doqiao Shuzhong has a request from us, and he will definitely restrain his subordinates and cooperate with us to complete the Tianchu.
The danger and pressure of Okita Hime following them will be much less, isn't this a good thing?"
Souji Okita coughed lightly and cursed with a smile.
"You two just talk about things, why did you suddenly involve me?"
Her words diluted Hijikata Tozo's worries, and the three of them laughed together.
Kondo Isamu said in a deep voice.
"We sisters have come to where we are today through thorny steps. There is never a good road for us to take. Let's take it one step at a time.
Don’t worry about the trouble, Hijikata-hime, don’t think too much.”
Hijikata Toishan nodded slightly, glanced at Dobashi Morizumi outside the door, and said no more.
———
In the dead of night, there was a burst of chaotic footsteps on the streets of Kyoto. A group of Hime warriors wearing Yamagata haori walked to a courtyard.
Kondo Isamu looked at the courtyard and asked.
"Is this here?"
Toshizo Hijikata looked at the map in his hand under the moonlight and nodded.
Kondo Isamu walked up the steps and knocked on the door. After a while, there was a response from the door, and the door opened with a little light.
"Stop knocking! It's so late. Who are you?"
The servant leaned behind the door and looked at the swordsmen outside through the crack of the door, his eyes a little uneasy.
Kondo Isamu asked softly with a kind face.
"Excuse me, is this the residence of Lord Matsuda Fujihiro?"
The servant looked her over and nodded.
"good."
Isamu Kondo asked again.
"Is your lord here?"
"Yes, yes, you are..."
Before the servant finished speaking, Kondo Isamu, who had received the answer, had already kicked the door open and rushed in.
The servant was left behind by the kicked-in door. He was so angry that he got up and wanted to shout something.
Behind him, Hijikata Toshizo smiled and covered her mouth, wiped the knife on her neck, then pushed her aside, followed Kondo Isamu's footsteps, and walked inside.
The servant clutched his cut neck and whimpered, unable to scream. He struggled and slipped to the ground, twitching and gradually becoming silent.
Dozens of swordsmen filed in and rushed straight to the inner courtyard's dormitory. The warrior Ji they met along the way was quickly dispatched by them, but the screams of the servants and the murderous cries of the warrior Ji had already reached the inner courtyard.
Ren Shenglang rushed into the inner courtyard. A warrior Ji with a resolute expression stood in the courtyard, protecting his husband behind him, drew his sword and shouted sternly.
"Who are you!"
Isamu Kondo stepped forward, bowed, and asked.
"Are you Matsuda Fujihiro-sama?"
Matsuda Fujihiro nodded.
"it's me."
Kondo Isamu made a gesture to Hijikata Tozo, and the pipe of the three-gun was fired at Matsuda Fujihiro from behind. Kondo Isamu in front was still talking respectfully to Matsuda Fujihiro.
"The leader of the Mibu Wolf, Isamu Kondo, has been ordered to carry out Tenchu. Please ask Matsuda Fujihiro to go on his way."
Matsuda Fujihiro raised his eyebrows and was about to say something when he saw three dark muzzles approaching and exploding.
She looked horrified, unable to dodge, and her body seemed to have been hit by a hammer. She groaned and fell backwards.
Isamu Kondo stepped forward to finish off the attack, but Matsuda's husband cried and threw himself on Matsuda Fujihiro, refusing to leave.
Isamu Kondo whispered softly while drawing his sword.
"Husband Matsuda, please let go and don't embarrass us."
Matsuda Fujihiro was shot three times and vomited blood. Matsuda's husband, with tears in his eyes, hugged his wife tightly and refused to let go, shouting.
"If you want to kill me, kill me too! Odaisho and I are friends! We attended the fraternity tea party together, we are friends!"
Tenchu was a nightmare for the samurai family of the shogunate, and even though Matsuda's husband was still in his boudoir, he had heard about it.
She knew that it was useless to say anything at this time. If she wanted to keep her wife, she could only get involved in Sibo Yiyin's relationship.
She actually knew Shiba Yoshigan. When Shiba Yoshigan first came to Kyoto, he conflicted with the interests of the ministers because he privately awarded the status of the imperial family members of Todo Hall.
At that time, Ashikaga Yoshiteru's father, the previous generation Dai Odai, held a tea party for the brotherhood, and specially invited Yoshigami Shiba to ease the antagonism between him and the shogunate through the relationship with the brotherhood.
Matsuda's husband was the one who contradicted Shiba Yoshigan at that time.
Ronin such as Mibu Lang would not know about this matter. Seeing that Matsuda's husband had vowed to be friends with Ootai, they were not sure.
Hijikata Toshizo looked at Kondo Isamu. Kondo Isamu took a closer look at Matsuda Fujihiro who was vomiting blood. He probably couldn't survive.
Since the man was about to die, Kondo Isamu didn't want to bet on whether what Matsuda's husband said was true or false, so he simply bowed and said.
"We'll take our leave now. Please have a good rest."
Ren Shenglang bowed politely and did not forget to close the inner courtyard door when he left.
Walking outside the door, Isamu Kondo asked Hijikata Toshizo.
"Who else is behind?"
Hijikata Toshizo said in a low voice.
"Akiren Iio, Seibu Ueno, Harutada Odate, and Fujihiro Matsuda just now, we will deal with the four of them tonight."
Kondo Isamu nodded and said.
"Next time, be more agile and don't let others stop you.
The relationship between these noble men in Kyoto is intricate, and if they really have any dealings with Odaisho, it would be troublesome to ask for mercy."
Hijikata Tosei nodded and said.
"I see."
In the distance, Dohashi Morishige and Okita Souji, who were responsible for the response, led a large group of people and scanned the surroundings from a high place.
Okita Souji couldn't suppress her coughing. She saw Dohashi Morishige looking in a certain direction intentionally or unintentionally, and asked.
"Hime Dohashi, is there any problem there?"
Dobashi Morishige smiled and said.
"No, it's just that an old friend of mine lives there, and I'm going to visit him in a few days."
Chief Okita nodded and said nothing more.
In the distance, the candle in front of Suzuki Shigehide was suddenly extinguished by a gust of wind. She looked at the candlestick and suddenly felt an ominous premonition.
The operation to kill the Nanman missionaries must be carried out as soon as possible, but those few people are always active near Tofuku Temple, where Oda Nobunaga is located, and it is the focus of the Oda family's defense.
Killing the people she protected under Oda Nobunaga's eyes? Suzuki Shigehide was a little hesitant, but she always felt that something bad was going to happen, and she had to make a decision.